Police Explorer jumps into action, helps save 2 men who had been stabbed

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A teenager who is a Cobb County Police Explorer got to feel what it's like to be in the middle of a real-life crime scene.  Police say during a shoplifting incident, two security officers were stabbed, and the explorer jumped into action. 

Cobb County Police Cpl. Mario Alexander was working in the cafe at Target when suddenly there was a commotion.  Police say two of the store's security officers had been stabbed by a man who they confronted for shoplifting.   One had been stabbed in the neck, the other had a big cut on his arm. 

"He had his arm lifted and he said 'I've been stabbed, he got me!' and he threw his arm back and I saw blood just gushing out," said Cpl. Alexander.

Cpl. Alexander took charge of the scene using the skills he learned in the Police Explorers.  He ripped off his t-shirt and made a tourniquet.  He then applied pressure to the other man who had been stabbed in the neck. 

"I give all the credit to the Police Explorers and the Lord because without them I wouldn't have been able to apply my training," said Cpl. Alexander. 

Cobb Police Officer Sarah O'Hara is one of the advisors for the Explorers.  She says they recently went through indepth first aid training. 

"We're finding young people in this world who have a passion about this and we're giving them the tools to save lives," said Officer O'Hara. 

Cpl. Alexander is 17 years old, he's a junior at Campbell High School.  He's been part of the Explorer Program for 15 months. 

"When I talk to him I say 'Mario, you're a hero."  He says, 'no mom, I'm not a hero, this is just my calling'," said his mom, Gabrielle Cummings.

"I don't think I'm a hero. I was at the right place at the right time to apply those skills. It's a test of my faith and my training and I passed," said Cpl. Alexander.

The two men who were stabbed are healing and doing well.  

The man who police say was shoplifting was later picked up by police.  Michael Thornton faces a number of charges.